Wooden male ancestor statue, Papua New Guinea, 19th-20th century

Statuette or figure of an anthropomorphic ancestor in carved wood, from Papua New Guinea. Slender shape, arms along the body, apparent male sex, eyes encrusted with white cowrie shells, a slit signifying the mouth. Minimal style.
 
 Provenance: private collection
 
 Collector's piece of primitive Oceanian art, Melanesia, unique and unusual in the spirit of cabinets of curiosities.
 
 In its own juice, beautiful patina.
 
 DIMENSIONS:  H44cm
 DATE:  First half of the 20th century
 ORIGIN:  Papua New Guinea
 WEIGHT :  0.295kg